New Delhi
Mumbai-based educator Rouble Nagi received the 2026 GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where Dubai's Crown Prince Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid al Makhtoum presented the trophy.
Through her Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, she created over 800 learning centres in slums and villages, using 'Living Walls of Learning' to teach underprivileged children and reach more than 1 million kids in two decades.
The award is widely known as award widely known as the “Nobel of Teaching.”
A visibly happy Rouble Nagi is seen breaking the news of her award to her husband back in India on phone in this clip on X:
2026 GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize winner, Rouble Nagi, shares a touching first call with her husband after her historic win.
— Global Teacher Prize (@TeacherPrize) February 5, 2026
Congratulations Rouble! @GEMS_ME @UNESCO @ROUBLENAGI #roublenagi #indianteacher #WorldGovernmentsSummit2026 #globalteacherprize pic.twitter.com/MySMzRT3OE
She plans to use the $1 million to expand centres, train teachers, and start a free Skilling Institute for vocational training. Her win drew praise from past winner Ranjitsinh Disale and voices in Jammu and Kashmir, celebrating her as a 'daughter of the soil.
Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir. Rouble Nagi is an artist, educator and a changemaker.
WINNING MOMENT 🏆
— Global Teacher Prize (@TeacherPrize) February 5, 2026
Watch as Indian educator Rouble Nagi is announced the winner of the 2026 GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize!
Rouble received the trophy from Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Global Teacher… pic.twitter.com/MSIGlKOotI
Rouble Nagi received the award for establishing more than 800 learning centres across India and for creating educational murals on the walls of slum communities. These centres aim to provide structured education to children who have never attended school, while also supporting those who are already enrolled.
Through murals painted on walls, children are taught literacy, science, mathematics, history, and other subjects, making learning simple, visual, and engaging.
Rouble Nagi, who hails from Jammu is winning praises from natives of her state on X:
Proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir.
— Adv Jehanzeb Allaqaband (@Jehanzeb__) February 5, 2026
Daughter of the soil, Rouble Nagi, has made the entire region proud. A renowned social worker and educator from Jammu and Kashmir, she has won the Global Teacher Prize, earning international recognition for her tireless commitment to education… pic.twitter.com/ZRVJBIGw2n
Rouble Nagi heads the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, which works to develop children into responsible, ethical, and productive citizens. The foundation delivers quality education to underprivileged children through low-cost and sustainable learning models.
She also led the Misaal Mumbai initiative, under which more than 150,000 houses were repaired and painted. At present, the foundation operates in over 163 slums and rural areas across the country.
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Nagi said he would use the prize money to establish an institute that will provide free vocational training to young people so they can become self-reliant and secure respectable employment.
